The Los Angeles Lakers made their first move of the draft ahead of the second round, sending the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Thursday morning.
The Los Angeles Lakers are moving up in the second round of the NBA Draft tonight, acquiring the No. 45 pick from the Chicago Bulls for No. 55 and cash, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Lakers move up 10 picks as they eye a young talent in the second round of the draft tonight. https://t.co/5Z2gyB3ClT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
The move signals that the Lakers are targeting a specific young prospect in the draft. Maybe a big man? With a track record of finding gems on Day 2—think Max Christie, Ivica Zubac, and trading for Jordan Clarkson—L.A. could strike gold again.
With cash being sent out in the trade, the Lakers will be hard-capped at the second apron next season.
The 45th pick will be L.A.'s only draft selection, as their first-round pick was surrendered to the Pelicans from the Anthony Davis trade.
This will be the second time in Lakers history they will be drafting No. 45 in the second round. The first player they drafted at that pick was Toby Bailey out of UCLA back in 1998.